During his maiden visit to the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) last month. The minister for Trade & Industry – Ebrahim Patel, highlighted the importance of innovative measures to grow the economy through investments, whilst appreciating the strategic efforts in place to sustain the existing investment pool within the Coega SEZ.

In his opening remarks, he emphasised that they [the dti] - “would like to focus on promoting equitable and special development of the Eastern Cape (EC) region in particular, the development of SEZs and industrials parks to actively steer economic growth and help achieve goals set by President Ramaphosa.” The minister further emphasised the continuation of the dti’s work as an active channel to help promote economic inclusion, assist in the expansion of the industrial base using the master plans approach and to also increase markets with respect to the African continental free trade areas.

The MEC for Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs & Tourism – Mlungisi Mvoko, elaborated that, “my role is to lobby the Department of Trade and Industry and the entire national government to recognise Coega as an ideal and desirable environment to grow investment.”

The sentiments by the MEC, were echoed by the China Ambassador to South Africa, “I promote Coega to all Chinese; the land is big enough with great investment potential. I urge investors to consider investing with Coega.”